Lifting frame

ABSTRACT

A lifting frame used for lifting structures by using two cranes. The lifting frame is preferably triangular in cross section and is laterally and diagonally braced. The lifting frame is designed for temporary attachment directly to the structure to be lifted and installed. Crane attachment points are provided at opposite ends of the lifting frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention is generally related to the lifting of largeobjects and more particularly to a frame for lifting a large structureand then installing the structure on a substructure.

[0003] 2. General Background

[0004] Lifting large heavy objects is an integral part of every type ofconstruction and is especially important in the marine constructionindustry. Lifts on the order of twenty-five short tons up to thousandsof short tons are commonplace.

[0005] Spreader frames and bars are used extensively to avoidinterference between the lifting slings and objects/equipment on thelifted item. Spreader bars and frames are used by a single liftingdevice to achieve sling clearances and brace lateral loading such thatthe rigging below the spreader bar or frame can be vertical. A reusableend cap for spreader bars that facilitates simple length adjustments iscommonly used.

[0006] The known art of lifting members tends to be two-dimensional,does not necessarily provide optimal spacing for crane connectionpoints, and may require additional bracing in the structure beinglifted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention addresses the above needs. What is provided is alifting frame that is used for lifting structures by using two cranes.The lifting frame is formed from a three-dimensional lattice frame. Theframe is laterally and diagonally braced. The lifting frame is designedfor temporary attachment directly to the structure to be lifted andinstalled in a manner such that the structure does not requireadditional bracing. Crane attachment points are provided at each end ofthe lifting frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of thepresent invention reference should be made to the following description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like partsare given like reference numerals, and wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention connected to a deckto be installed on a substructure.

[0011]FIG. 3 is an elevation view that illustrates use of the inventionduring installation of a deck on a substructure.

[0012]FIG. 4 is an elevation view that illustrates use of the inventionto set the deck on the substructure.

[0013]FIG. 5 is an elevation view that illustrates removal of theinvention after the deck has been set on the substructure.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view that illustrates an alternate meansof connecting the invention to the deck.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view that illustrates another alternatemeans of connecting the invention to the deck.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view that illustrates an alternate meansof lifting the invention and deck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to the drawings, it is seen in FIG. 1 that theinvention is generally indicated by the numeral 10. As seen in FIG. 1lifting frame 10 is a lattice frame that is preferably triangular inshape.

[0018] Two bottom cords 12 are rigidly attached together in a parallelspaced apart arrangement at the same elevation by lateral braces 14. Thebottom cords 12 are rigidly attached to a top cord 16 by a plurality ofvertical braces 18 and diagonal braces 20. The top cord 16 is preferablycentered above the top cords 12. The cords and braces are sized toaccommodate the weight of the structure 22 (seen in FIG. 2) to be liftedand installed. As best seen in FIG. 2 the end of each bottom cord 12provides connecting points 24 for one or more cranes.

[0019] The bottom cords 12 are provided with means 26 temporarilyconnecting the lifting frame 10 to the structure 22 to accomplish thelift. In the preferred embodiment, this is comprised of a plurality ofpadeyes 28 and links 30. The padeyes 30 are rigidly attached to thebottom cords 12. The links 30 are provided with a bore at each end.Corresponding padeyes 32 are provided on the structure 22 to be liftedand installed. The bores in the padeyes are sized to receive pins fortemporarily locking the links 30 to the lifting frame 10 and thestructure 22.

[0020] In operation, slings 34 suspended from crane blocks 36 by twoseparate cranes 38 are attached to the crane connecting points 24. Thecranes 38 are used to lift the lifting frame 10. The links 30 are pinnedto the bottom cords 12 at the padeyes 28. The lifting frame 10 is thenpositioned above the structure 22 so that the links 30 are aligned withthe padeyes 32 in the structure 22. The lifting frame 10 is lowered suchthat the bores in the links are aligned with the bores in the padeyes 32in the structure 22. The links 30 are then temporarily connected(locked) to the structure 22 by inserting pins through the bores. Asseen in FIG. 2, the lifting frame 10 may be designed with an overhangsection 52 that extends beyond the end of structure 22 to provideclearance between the crane and structure 22. Although only shown on oneend of the lifting frame 10, the overhand section 52 may be provided oneach end. The lifting frame 10 and structure 22 are lifted by the cranes38 and positioned above the substructure 40 such that the lower stabbingreceptacles 42 on structure 22 are aligned with the stabbing posts 44 onsubstructure 26 as seen in FIG. 3. The structure 26 is lowered onto thesubstructure 26 to receive the stabbing posts 42 in the lower stabbingreceptacles 40 as seen in FIG. 4. The links 30 are then unlocked fromthe padeyes 32 on the structure 22 and the lifting frame 10 is liftedaway from the structure 22 as seen in FIG. 5.

[0021]FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate means of temporarily connectingthe links 30 between the lifting frame 10 and structure 22. Instead ofusing padeyes, the links 30 may be welded to the lifting frame 10 andstructure 22 as indicated at points 46.

[0022]FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate means of temporarily connectingthe lifting frame 10 to the structure 22. Instead of using rigid links30, slings 48 are pinned between the padeyes 28 and 32 on the bottomcords 12 and structure 22.

[0023]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate means of accomplishing the lift ofthe lifting frame 10 and structure 22. Booms 50 are attached to thebottom cords 12 by the use of padeyes in a manner such as thatillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,350.

[0024] The invention provides several advantages. The connection pointsfor the cranes are optimally spaced for the lift. This increases thecapacity of the lifting equipment. The lifting frame of the invention isconnected to the structure at multiple points and the lifting frame islaterally and diagonally braced. This minimizes the bracing required inthe structure that is a strict function of the lifting operation andthus reduces the weight and cost of the structure.

[0025] Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made withinthe scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A lifting frame for use in liftingand installing a structure on a substructure, comprising: a. a latticeframe; and b. means provided on said lattice frame for temporarilyconnecting the frame to the structure to be lifted.
 2. The lifting frameof claim 1, wherein said lattice frame is triangular in cross section.3. The lifting frame of claim 1, wherein said means for temporarilyconnecting the frame to the structure to be lifted comprises a pluralityof links designed to be pinned to said frame and the structure to belifted.
 4. The lifting frame of claim 1, wherein said means fortemporarily connecting the frame to the structure to be lifted comprisesa plurality of links welded to said frame and to the structure to belifted.
 5. The lifting frame of claim 1, wherein said means fortemporarily connecting the frame to the structure to be lifted comprisesa plurality of slings attached between said frame and the structure tobe lifted.
 6. A lifting frame for use in lifting and installing astructure on a substructure, comprising: a. a lattice frame that istriangular in cross section; and b. means provided on said lattice framefor temporarily connecting the frame to the structure to be liftedcomprising a plurality of links designed to be pinned to said frame andthe structure to be lifted.
 7. A method for lifting and installing astructure on a substructure, comprising the steps of: a. providing alattice frame that includes means for temporarily connecting the frameto the structure to be lifted; b. positioning the lattice frame over thestructure to be lifted; c. connecting the lattice frame to thestructure; d. lifting and positioning the structure over a substructure;e. lowering the structure onto the substructure; f. disconnecting thelattice frame from the structure; and g. lifting the lattice frame awayfrom the structure.